Method and apparatus for flocking and removing excess flock



April 7, 1959 s. M. SCHWARTZ ET AL 2,881,087

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FLOCKING AND REMOVING EXCESS FLOCK Filed Oct.28, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet l \A I 5 5% ska IN V EN TORS M- 8 C H WAQTZDflN/EL 20 3S 4 00) Arrow/5y JAMUEL Apnl 7, 1959 s. M. SCHWARTZ ET AL2,881,087

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FLOCKING AND REMOVING EXCESS FLOCK Filed Oct;28, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 PM! El.

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April 7, 1959 s. M. SCHWARTZ ET AL 9 9 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FLOCKINGAND REMOVING EXCESS FLOCK Filed Oct. 23, 1954 4 sheets-sheet:

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Q i ,;/2 7 L Q a 294 I I 282 zaf INVENTORS DfiN/EL GROSS BY SAMUEL M.scan 41271 A ril 7, 1959 s. M. SCHWARTZ ET AL 2,881,087

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR F LOCKING AND REMOVING EXCESS Ff- OCK FiledOct. 28, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY METHOD AND APPARATUS FORFLOCKING AND REMOVING EXCESS FLOCK Samuel M. Schwartz, Paterson, andDaniel Gross, Passaic, N..l., assignors to Velveray Corporation,Clifton, N.J., a corporation of New York Application October 28, 1954,Serial No. 465,406

4 Claims. (Cl. 117-19) The present invention relates to a method" andapparatus for flock printing fabrics.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a speedy,reliable, low-cost, high production flock printing system of removingfinely divided particles which may closely adhere to, become enmeshed inthe openings, or entangled in the interstices in knitted or wovenfabrics.

In many types of fabrics, particularly those of synthetic nitrogenousmaterials and particularly those of nylon character, it has been foundthat finely divided particles of flock very closely adhere to the fibresand m the interstices with the result that sometimes it is almostimpossible to remove the undesirable residual unattached fiock therefromwithout causing substantial abrasion or wearing of the fabric material.

It is among the further objects of the present invention to provide aflock printing procedure, particularly in connection with fabricscontaining, or made in part or whole of, nylon or other syntheticnitrogenous or fibre materials, which will quickly and accurately removea large portion of all of the adhering excess flock without anysubstantial wear or friction upon the fibres, filaments or mesh of thefabric itself, and with further assurance that the removal will be socomplete as to not require any subsequent wet-cleansing or scouringoperations.

Furthermore, with many types of flock printed fabrics when stronglybrushed or beaten to cause removal of excess fiock, and also toaccomplish other finishing procedures, it has been found that suchmechanical treatmore detailed description set forth below, it beingunderstood, however, that this more detailed description is given by wayof illustration and explanation only and not by way'of limitation, sincevarious changes therein may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

In accomplishing the above objects, it has been found most satisfactoryaccording to one embodiment of the present invention to apply to thefabric a very high alternating static charge.

This static charge may be applied while the fabric is passing in anydirection, as for example either horizontally or diagonally, but it hasbeen found most suitable and most useful to pass the fabric verticallybetween oppositely charged high potential static charges.

This is desirably accomplished while a stream of air 'is being drawnacross the face of the fabric and desirably obliquely across the mesh orinterstices of the fabric.

It has been found that this variation in application of a high potentialstatic charge results in a rapid removal 65 sides of the fabric.

2 of any adherent excess flock, particularly at the last stage orfinishing stage in'a flocking operation.

It has also been found particularly helpful to utilize this alternationof static charge immediately after or in combination with alternatebrushing and/or beating operations.

Most effectively the fabric may be brushed'or beaten while passing in areverse direction to the direction of passage when subjected to thealternating static charge, and then with the immediate reversaldirection the fabric is subjected to an alternating static highpotential charge, while air or gas is being rapidly'drawn through th'efabric, mesh or interstices.

This will result in an almost-immediate removal of all undesirableexcess flock, and only the flock Which'has been permanently attached byheat-hardened adhesive will remain attached to the fabric.

Although varying procedures may be employed, it has been found that areversal charge of some 10 to 50 thousand static volts has been mosteffective in removing the excess flock. This high charge may be appliedby means of a static generator, but most desirably it is applied from analternating current source which is transformed up to a very highpotential and is applied across in narrow gap upon the rapidly movingfabric,

Although according to one form of the invention a high potentialoscillating charge may be applied as of the nature of 55 to cycles persecond, it has been found suflicient to alternate the high potentialcharge 2 or 3 times a second or even from 30 to times a minute to givethe most effective results. 1

For example, the fabric may first be passed through a static field inone direction of 20,000 to 40,000 static volts and be in this fieldduring such passage for one-half to two to three seconds, and then itmay be immediately passed through a reverse field for the same length oftime and with the same charge.

However, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, two reversefields have been found to be sufficient with the second field exceedingthe first field by 10,000 to 20,000 volts and using shorter applicationin them.

For example, the fabric may first be subjected to a static charge fortwo to four seconds of 10,000 to 30,000 static volts, and then it may besubjected to a reverse charge of 20,000 to 50,000 static volts forone-half to two seconds.

During this treatment it is most important the static charge beconcentratedlaterally across the fabric I and transversely of thedirection of the movement of the fabric rather than parallelly to thedirection of the movement of the fabric.

To assure most effective treatment it has been found that the fabricshould be passed between two closely spaced electrode members, oneelectrode member consisting of a metal plate slightly wider than thewidth of the fabric, the length of which will determine the periodtriangular shape with their fiat sides adjacent to the passing fabricand closely spaced by a distance say of 1 to 2 inches.

Reverse application then is attained when the-same electrodecombinations are reversely placed on opposite To prevent any breakdownor sparking which might injure the fabric it has been found desirableto' supply fairly thick glass plates to atleast one of the electrodesand desirably over the metal plate electrode. Theseglass plates shoulddesirably extend beyond the electrode by a distance of at least 1 inchon all sides, and desirably 'may be of a thickness of glass of to 2inches.

It has been found "that this will effectively prevent .any breakdown orexcessive sparking of the high static potential, and the fabric will bewell protected against any injury due to sparking or any unevenelectrical discharge.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists ofthe novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts ashereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention,but :itis to be understood that changes, variations and modificationscan be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereuntoappended.

In the drawings wherein .like reference characters denote correspondingparts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side sectional view of a complete flockingsystem showing the application of the gelectrostatic cleaner of thepresent invention as a final operation.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic side sectional view illustrating an alternativestatic cleaner arrangement.

Fig. 3 is a side diagrammatic sectional view showing ,still anotheralternative static cleaner arrangement.

Fig. 4 is a side sectional view upon a greatly enlarged .scale ascompared to Fig. 2 of the static cleaner arrangement shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a side sectional view-of an alternative mechanical beaterarrangement to replace or to be used in addition to the multiple brusharrangement at the left .of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a transvertical sectional view taken upon the .line 6-6 ofFig. 4 and upon an enlarged scale as compared to Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a side sectional view upon an enlarged scale of an alternativeform of static cleaner arrangement.

Fig. 8 is a side sectional view of still another alternative form ofstatic cleaner arrangement.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic side sectional view of one of the transversebars of one separated electrode construc- 1101].

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic side sectional view of an alternative beatingand static cleaner arrangement in .which the flock printed fabric ispassed through the beating and electrostatic chambers in horizontalposition.

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic side sectional view similar to Fig. 10 of analternative embodiment in which the :brushing chambers and electrostaticcleaning chambers are :so arranged :that the fabric will pass in adirect line and horizontally through such chambers.

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic side sectional view of still anotherembodiment in which the fabric is first passed through a heater at anupper level and then through an electrostatic cleaner at a .lower level.

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic sectional view showing the -direction'ofthe.major lines of electrostatic force where opposite plate and barelectrodes are employed.

Fig. .14 is a diagrammatic side sectional view showing analternativearrangement of electrostatic electrodes with the lines of forceextending in concentrated pattern and directed transversely to thefabric.

'Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic side sectional view showing the lines offorce extending obliquely between staggered electrostatic electrodes.

.Referringto Fig. 1 there is shown a flock application apparatus Awhiehmay be provided with the electrode arrangement B.

.After application of the flock the fabric is passed into :a dryingchamber C and-there is. subjected to ;a mechanical excess flock and dirtremoval D followed .by the static cleaner operation '.E :to which thepresent invention is particularly .directed.

:InlFig. l-the fiockisfed in at 10 to :the hopper 11 :fromwhich itistedby the revolving-measuring device :12 onto the vibrating screen .13.

l'1hewihrating-..screen: 13 is.-reciprocated ,by means 01: 7.

the eccentric '14 and is positioned inside (tithe-enclosed chamber orcasing 15.

The flock will descend as indicated at 16 and will pass through theperforated or foraminous electrode 17. This electrode cooperates with alower electrode 18 to apply high static in one or in reverse directionto the fabric P, which has been printed with a suitable adhesive beforeentering the chamber 15 through the slot 19.

The fabric F will be carried through the chamber by means of thecontinuous belt 20 which may be of a loose woven or knitted material andwhich passes over the main pulleys 21 and 22. The belt is guided by theauxiliary pulleys 23, 24 and 25.

The fabric then passes over the guide pulley 26 and is preliminarilylooped at 27. It then passes over the two pulleys 28 and 29 into thedrying procedure C.

The chamber C has an enclosure 30 and byrneans oi the triangular carrierdevice which pass around the pulleys 51, 52 and 53, the fabric ;isdraped as indicated at 54 and 55 upon a series of poles 5 6.

These poles are carried up and placed upon the carrier belt 57 which iscarried on the pulleys 58 and 59.

The length of the chamber 30 is shown greatly shortened and the fabricwill pass in the draped condition as indicated at 55 through a longchamber after the flock and adhesive have been thoroughly dried, and anyflock to permanently remain upon the fabric will have been mounted bymeans of hardened and substantially permanently fixed adhesive material.

The fabric then passes over the pulley 60 and under the lip 61 to theoutlet 62 of the chamber 30. The poles 56 will have been removed fromthe fabric and the fabric will then pass into the mechanical treatmentchamber.

It first passes under the pulley 64 and then between the alternatingbrushes 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, and 71. Desirably a strong air current flowsthrough the chamber 62 to remove any of the flock or dirt which has beenmechanically eliminated.

The fabric will then pass out of the chamber 63 by way of the pulley 72and will then pass down over the pulley 73 into the static cleanerchamber 74.

In the static cleaner chamber 74 it will first pass downwardly betweenthe foraminous electrode 75 and the solid electrode 76. Then the chargewill be reversed and it will pass between the foraminous electrode 77and the solid electrode 78. A current of air will be drawn through thechamber and transversely across the fabric as it is passing downwardlyin the direction 79.

The fabric will then pass downwardly out of the chamber at 80, over thepulley 81, and then upwardly as indicated at 82 and will be wound orrolled as indicated at 83 as a finished, cleaned, flocked fabric. Therollers 84 and 85 will control the rolling up operation.

It has been found that the successive mechanical brushing at D and thestatic application at B will remove up to about 85 to and sometimes evenup to of all excess flock which has not been permanently engaged by :thefixed adhesive, no matter how deeply such flock may have been heldwithin the interstices of the mesh and no matter how strong an aifinityit has for the nylon fibres or the nylon part of the 'fabric.

In the embodiment of Fig. 2 the fabric G enters into the brushingchamber H and then into the static chamber J. It will be noted that thefabric first passes down through the chamber H entering at 100, and itwill then be subjected to treatment by opposite and alternating brushes1,01 102 103, 104 and '105 as it passes downwardly as indicated by thearrow 106.

The fabric will exit at 107 and pass over the pulleys 108 and 109 andupwardly into the chamber of the static cleaner 1'.

In passing upwardly as indicated at 110, between the solid electrode 111and the foraminous electrode 112, and then reversely betwee the solidelectrode 113 .and the foraminous electrode 114, substantially allresidual dirt, dust and excess flock will be removed.

The fabric then passes over the pulleys 115 and 116 and downwardly overthe pulley 117 until it is rolled up at 118 upon the rollers 119 and120.

In the alternative arrangement of Fig. 3, the fabric K will pass intothe right angular chamber L which has a mechanical cleaning unit M and astatic cleaning unit N.

It will pass into this chamber L through the opening 130 and then pastthe alternating brushes 131, 132, 133, 134 and 135. These brushes willloosen any partly held flock and also they will remove a great deal ofthe loose fiock that may also drive in some loose dust and flock whichwill have to be subsequently removed by the static cleanser N.

This same operation will also occur in connection with the brushingarrangement D of Fig. 1 and the brushing arrangement H of Fig. 2.

The fabric will then pass over the pulley 136 and downwardly between theforaminous electrode 137 and the solid electrode 138. Beyond theelectrodes 137 and 138 it will pass beyond the solid electrode 139 andthe foraminous electrode 140, out through the opening 141 and over thepulley 142.

The cleaned fabric will then be rolled up as indicated at 143 upon therolls 144 and 145.

Fig. 4 shows the combination mechanical and static cleaner of Fig. 2upon a substantially enlarged scale. The pulley 99 is mounted upon thebracket 98 upon the top wall 97 of the chamber H. The sidewalls 96 and95 will carry the exhaust connections 94 and 93 and they will beremovable by bolts 92 and 91.

There will be a strong suction of air through the connections 93 and 94which will be drawn out by a suction source indicated at 92, which mayconsist of a high powered fan or reversed blower.

As a result the air will be drawn into the chamber H at the upperopening 100 and the lower opening 107, and it will be drawn bothupwardly and downwardly across the fabric and then transversely throughthe interstices and then into the exhaust connections 93 and 94.

The air will also be drawn over the brushes 101, 102, 103, 104 and 105and will aid in cleaning any excess flocking away from the brushes.

The belt 91 will drive the rotary brushes 101 to 105 and it will passover the intermediate idle pulleys 90 and 89. The lower pulley 108 willbe carried on the bracket 88 on the bottom plate 87 of the casing H.

In the static cleaner J there will be a similar arrangement. The topplate 150 will carry a bracket 151 for the pulleys 115 and 116.

The foraminous electrodes 112 and 114 will consist of a base plate 152and 153 which are mounted upon the insulating sleeves 154 and 155 on theremovable side plates 156 and 157.

The solid electrodes 111 and 113 will be similarly mounted upon the sideplates 156 and 157 by the insulating sleeves 158 and 159. These solidplate electrodes 111 and 113 will be covered by the glass plates 160 and161 which will extend as indicated a short distance between the edges ofthe plate electrodes 111 and 113.

The exhaust connections as indicated at 162 and 163 will be positionedopposite the middle of the separated electrodes 112 and 113, and theywill be connected to the exhaust main 164 and 165 and 166.

In the arrangement shown the air will be drawn through both the bottomopening 167 and the top opening 168, down and up over the face of thefabric and also transversely through the mesh thereof into the exhaustpipes 162 and 163.

This will result in a cleaning of the fabric and in substantiallycomplete removal of all excess flock, dust and dirt therein, evencompletely removing that material which may have been pressed further inby the rotary brushes 101 to 105.

Each of the bars of the foraminous electrode 112, which is typical ofthe foraminous electrodes shown in all embodiments, is mounted at thebase of its V by the bolt upon the vertical bars 181.

This mounting is shown in large scale upon Fig. 9, and it will be notedthat the interior of each bar, as indicated at 182, is hollow and thatthe fiat face 183 faces towards the solid electrodes and toward thepassing fabric. The corners will be rounded as indicated at 184 so thatthere will not be any tendency to spark or have an excess concentrationof charge at said corners. This will assure a more even distribution ofstatic charge of the flat face 183 of the triangular bar 180.

Referring to Fig. 5, there is shown an alternative mechanical removalarrangement. In Fig. 5 mechanical beater P is provided with a series ofsquare cross section wooden rods 200, 201, 202, 203 and 204, which havesharp edges and which beat the fabric Q at the points 205, 206, 207, 208and 209. At the same time a very strong exhaust is applied at 210 and211 on the opposite side walls 212 and 213.

These heaters will act in lieu of or in addition to the brushes of Figs.1, 2, 3 and 4, to give an initial removal of excess flock and also totreat the fabric so it is in proper condition to be passed through thestatic cleaner.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 7 there is an L- shaped cleaningchamber R having the brush mechanical remover and the static cleaner T.

The fabric will enter as indicated at U and then .be subjected tobrushing by the brushes 230, 231, 232, 233 and 234.

These brushes are driven by the belt 235 which passes over the idlerpulleys 236 and 237. The motor 238 will drive the belt 235.

The upper chamber S is provided with exhaust connections 239 and 240upon its upper wall 241 and its lower wall 242.

The fabric after it passes over the pulley 243 will pass downwardlythrough the static cleaner T.

The static cleaner T has the foraminous electrodes 244 and 245 which aremounted by means of the insulating sleeves 246 and 247 upon the Walls248 and 249.

The plate electrodes 250 and 251, with their covering glass plates 252and 253, are also mounted by the insulating sleeves 254 and 255 uponsaid walls 248 and 249.

The fabric after being cleaned will pass out through the opening 256over the pulley 257.

The opposite walls 248 and 249 of the static cleaner section T will beprovided with the exhaust connections 258 and 259 opposite the centralportion of the separated electrodes 244 and 245.

These exhaust connections 258 and 259, as well as the exhaustconnections 239 and 240, will communicate with the exhaust main 260,which leads at 261 to an exhaust fan or reverse blower.

The air will be drawn in great velocity through the openings 256 and 252through the right angle chamber, and any residual dust and dirt will bepicked up and discharged at 261.

The alternative embodiment of Fig. 8 is very similar to that of Fig. 7,except that instead of the brushes 230 to 234 of Fig. 7 there will beprovided hexagonal cross section heaters 280, 281, 282, 283 and 284.

These beaters will be in the mehanical cleaning chamber Y of theL-shaped chamber or box W, which has the static cleaner X.

The fabric Y will enter through the opening 285 and then will passbetween the hexagonal heaters 280 to 284 and will be subjected tosuction at the connections 286 and 287, and will then pass over thepulley 288 and between the separated electrode 289 and the plateelectrode 290 where it will be subjected to suction through theconnection 291, positioned at about mid-height of the separatedelectrode 289.

The static cleaner of Fig. 8 may be of the same construction as thestatic cleaners shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 7.

Referring to Fig. 10 there is shown a beating chamber 310 followed by anelectrostatic cleaning chamber 311. The fabric will pass into andthrough the chamber startirig from its position at 312 over the guiderollers 313 and 314 and then under and over the beaters 315 and 316,respectively. A suction will be applied at 317 and at 318 on the top andbottom of the chamber or compartment 310 which will draw air into theopenings 319 and 320. which air will entrain any residual flock whichmay beat out of the fabric 312.

The fabric will then pass continuing in a horizontal direction at 321into the chamber 312 wherein it' will be subjected to alternating orpulsating electrostatic charge between the opposite pairs of electrodeplates and bars 322 and 323 and 324 and 325.

The suction will also be applied tothis static cleaner chamber 311 at326 at the top of the chamber and at 327 at the bottom of the chamber.

The cleaned fabric will then pass as indicated at 328 past the guideroller 329 and will be rolled up at 330.

In Figure 11 the fabric 340 will pass over the guide rollers 341 intothe brushing chamber 342 having the brusher 343 acting on top of thefabric and 344 acting on the bottom of the fabric. Suction will beapplied at the top of the chamber 342 at 345 and at the bottom of thechamber at 346.

The fabric will then pass its horizontal path over the guide roller 347and into the electrostatic cleaning chamher 348 where it is acted uponby the electrostatic charge applied from the opposite plate and barelectrodes 349, 350, 351 and 352. Suction will be applied through theconduits 353 and 354 at the top and bottom of the chamber 348. Thecleaned fabric will then be rolled up as indicated at 355.

In the embodiment of Fig. 12 the beating chamber 360 is positioned abovethe electrostatic chamber 361 and although the fabric 362 passeshorizontally through both chambers it will pass downwardly between thechambers from the guide roller 363 down to the guide roller 364 asindicated at 365. The upper heaters 365 and the lower heaters 366 andthe suction pipes 367 and 368 will exhaust any flock which has beenbeaten out by the beater 365 and 366.

In the lower compartment 361 there will be opposing electrodes 368 and369 and 370 and 371. This chamber 361 will be exhausted by the exhaustpipes 372 at the top and 373 at the bottom.

The finished fabric will pass over the guide rollers 374 and 375 andthen onto the main collection roller 376.

In the diagrammatic showing of Fig. 13 the hollow triangular electrodes380 are shown as opposed to a metal plate 381 with the lines of force382 mushrooming out or diverging outwardly from the bottom portions 383of the electrodes 380 toward the plate 381. I

The arrangement of Fig. 13 has been found to be most effective inassuring a rapid and effective cleaning of the fabrics.

In the embodiment of Fig. 14 opposite bar electrodes 384 and 385 areshown with their effective faces 386 and 387 directly aligned with andfacing one another so that the lines of 338 will form a moreconcentrated pattern extending directly transversely in the spacebetween the faces 386 and 387.

In both the embodiments of Figs. 13 and 14 the fabric 389 and 390 maypass in either direction as indicated by the double arrows 400 and 401and the direction, although shown as vertical in Figs. 13 and 14, may behorizontal as shown in Figs. 10 to 12 or oblique at anfangle of 30",45'? or 60 to the horizontal.

In the embodiment of Fig. 14 the hollowtriangular bars 402 and 403 areoffset so that the lines of force 404 will extend in concentrated mannerobliquely across the fabric 405 which may move in either direction 406.This concentrated effect is sometimes most effective with closelyadherent small flocked particles. The electrodes may also take otherforms such as round, hexagonal, or octagonal, or even square but it hasbeen found desirable to use triangular cross-section electrodes withrounded corners so as to spread the lines of force and prevent anypoint, edge or corner concentration which might result in sparking.

Less desirably the heating or brushing operations may be combinedtogether with the electrostatic removal and in some instances a finalbrushing or beating or both may follow after the electrostatic cleaning.However, this is not preferred since the static cleaning operation ismost satisfactory when it takes place as a final operation.

The arrangement shown in Figs. l to 8 surprisingly remove all of theclosely adhering excess flock and other loose material even though it besubstantially hammered into the meshes or interstices of the fabric bymeans of the heaters or the brushes shown.

A highly effective removal of the excess flock is obtained even fromsuch adherent materials as nylon fibres or filamcnts.

The static cleaner of the present invention may be used if desiredindependent of the mechanical cleaning arrangements, or it may be usedboth before and after mechanical brushing and beating arrangements, andis most effective when utilized in combination with electrostatic flockapplication procedure where a high potential static charge is employedat 17 and 18 of Fig. l to apply the flock.

As many changes could be made in the above method and apparatus forremoving particles from fabrics, and many widely different embodimentsof this invention could be made without departing from the scope of theclaims, it is intended that all matter contained in the abovedescription shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of theinvention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, what isclaimed is:

1. In a process wherein a fabric is printed with adhesive, afinely-divided fiock is applied to said adhesiveprinted fabric in afield of high static voltage and the flock is afiixed on the portion ofsaid fabric which is printed with adhesive, the improvement whichcomprises the further step of removing excess flock from theflockprinted fabric by passing said fabric between successive fields ofstatic voltage, the charge of one of said static fields being oppositeto the charge of the succeeding static field.

2. In a process wherein a fabric is printed with adhesive, afinely-divided flock is applied to said adhesiveprinted fabric in afield of high static voltage and the flock is affixed on the portion ofsaid fabric which is printed with adhesive, the improvement whichcomprises the further step of removing excess fiock from theflockprinted fabric by passing said fabric, after the fabric has beensubjected to a drying operation to dry the adhesive thereon, betweensuccessive fields of static voltage, the charge of one of said staticfields being opposite to the charge of the succeeding static field.

3. In a process wherein a fabric is printed with adhesive, afinely-divided flock is applied to said adhesiveprinted fabric in afield of high static voltage and the flock is aflixed on the portion ofsaid fabric which is printed with adhesive, the improvement whichcomprises the further step of removing excess fiock from theflockprinted fabric by passing said fabric between successive fields ofstatic voltage, the charge of one of said static fields being of lowervoltage and opposite to the charge of the succeeding static field.

4. In a process wherein a fabric is printed with adhesive, afinely-divided flock is applied to said adhesiveprinted fabric in afield of high static voltage and the flock is affixed on the portion ofsaid fabric which is printed with adhesive, the improvement whichcomprises the further step of removing excess flock from theflockprinted fabric by passing said fabric between successive fields ofstatic voltage, the charge of one of said static fields being within therange of 10,000 to 30,000 static volts and opposite to the charge of thesucceeding static field which is within the range of 20,000 to 50,000static volts.

5. In a process wherein a fabric is printed with adhesive, afinely-divided flock is applied to said adhesiveprinted fabric in afield of high static voltage and the flock is afiixed on the portion ofsaid fabric which is printed with adhesive, the improvement whichcomprises the further step of removing excess flock from theflockprinted fabric by passing said fabric, after the fabric has beensubjected to a drying operation to dry the adhesive thereon, betweensuccessive fields of static voltage, the charge of one of said staticfields being within the range of 10,000 to 30,000 static volts andopposite to the charge of the succeeding static field which is withinthe range of 20,000 to 50,000 static volts.

6. In a process wherein a fabric is printed with adhesive, a finelydivided flock is applied to said adhesiveprinted fabric in a field ofhigh static voltage and the flock is aifixed on the portion of saidfabric which is printed with adhesive, the improvement which comprisesthe further step of removing excess flock from the fiockprinted fabricby passing said fabric vertically downward, after the fabric has beensubjected to a drying operation to dry the adhesive thereon, betweensuccessive fields of of static voltage, the charge of one of the saidstatic fields being within the range of 10,000 to 30,000 static voltsand opposite to the charge of the succeeding static field which iswithin the range of 20,000 to 50,000 static volts.

7. In a flocking device comprising means for applying adhesive to a baseand means for applying flock to said adhesive-coated base, theimprovement which comprises means for removing excess flock from saidbase, the latter means comprising a plurality of pairs of electrodesarranged in succession through which said flock-coated base i0 isadapted to pass, each of said pairs of electrodes comprising a solidelectrode and a foraminous electrode spaced therefrom, the electrodes ofeach pair being oppositely arranged with respect to the electrodes ofthe succeeding pair, and means for applying a static voltage to saidelectrodes.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the solid electrode comprisesa metal plate slightly wider than the fabric being treated and of alength suflicient to apply a predetermined static charge to the fabric,and the foraminous electrode comprises a plurality of bars.

9. In a flocking device comprising means for applying adhesive to a baseand means for applying flock to said adhesive-coated base, theimprovement which comprises means for removing excess flock from saidbase, the latter means comprising a plurality of pairs of electrodesarranged in vertical succession through which said flockcoated base isadapted to pass, each of said pairs of electrodes comprising a solidelectrode and a foraminous electrode spaced therefrom, the electrodes ofeach pair being oppositely arranged with respect to the electrodes ofthe succeeding pair, and means for applying a static voltage to saidelectrodes.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the solid electrode comprisesa metal plate slightly wider than the fabric being treated and of alength suificient to apply a predetermined static charge to the fabric,and the foraminous electrode comprises a plurality of bars.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,616,138 Porter Feb. 1, 1927 2,173,032 Wintermute Sept. 12, 19392,191,827 Benner et a1 Feb. 27, 1940 2,221,338 Wintermute Nov. 12, 19402,328,577 Oglesby Sept. 7, 1943 2,328,904 Hiers Sept. 7, 1943 2,371,605Carlton et a1 Mar. 20, 1945 2,447,374 Smyser Aug. 17, 1948 2,675,330Schwartz et al. Apr. 13, 1954 2,681,036 Ewing et al June 15, 1954

1. IN A PROCESS WHEREIN A FRABRIC IS PRINTED WITH ADHESIVE, AFINELY-DIVIDED FLOCK IS APPLIED TO SAID ADHESIVEPRINTED FABRIC IN AFIELD OF HIGH STATIC VOLTAGE AND THE FLOCK IS AFFIXED ON THE PORTIONS OFSAID FABRIC WHICH IS PRINTED WITH ADHESIVE, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICHCOMPRISES THE FURTHER STEP OF REMOVING EXCESS FLOCK FROM THEFLOCKPRINTED FABRIC BY PASSING SAID FABRIC BETWEEN SUCCESSIVE FIELDS OFSTATIC VOLTAGE, THE CHARGE OF ONE OF SAID STATIC FIELDS BEING OPPOSITETO THE CHARGE OF THE SUCCEEDING STATIC FIELD.